New To Smokers Were Smokin

New to Smokers

wynnebaer 17 years ago

I'm pretty good in the kitchen and pretty good on my grill but have never used a smoker...Can I make a smoker without having to buy one?...I'd love to give it a try....:)

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jimrug1 17 years ago said:

Hi Corrine,

Yes you can make a smoker if you are looking for a challenge....;-) If you google "DIY Smoker Plans" you will find all kinds of ways to build one. Old safes, refrigerators, large plant pots, Cardboard boxes.... However, by the time you gather up all the items needed and spend the time putting it together, its a lot of wasted energy when your final product is at best crude and disposable. ( Unless you go the refrigerator route)

Conversely, you can run to Walmart this morning, by a decent Brinkman water smoker for about $70.00 and be smoking tonight. For less than $200, you can get a smoker that will do pretty much anything you want it to.

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wynnebaer 17 years ago said:

Thanks Jim......Think I'm gonna invest in something already made....No old safes around here....Just tell me it's worth the investment......I need someone else to tell me to spend my money....TeeHee....:)

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jimrug1 17 years ago said:

Hey Corrine, I hear that smoker calling your name... Ha I do have a nicer one now but I still have and constantly use a $50 smoker I receive as a present almost 20 years ago. If you are willing to spend around $165, I would recomend the Brinkman electric water smoker. You can still use charcoal if you like or the element keeps a fairly steady 180 - 220 degree temp. They are perfect for the beginner because you don't have to fool with them too much.

The most complicated part of smoking is getting yourself into the "Low & Slow" metality. You can smoke virtually anything that you would roast in an oven. It just takes longer.

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ronnymarcus 17 years ago said:

Hi Corrine! Are you following me? If you are, I'm glad

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wynnebaer 17 years ago said:

I don't now what you meant by that comment Ronnymarcus, wanna explain please....I have been on this website for awhile and do not appreciate you insinuating that I am following you...I do not even know you and have no interest in you....For that matter, your humor turns me off....So, in the future, please refrain from making any comments to me or about me...:)

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mrtnzangel8 17 years ago said:

no ronny, wynne's not following you but I am....lol...not

I have a funny story about smokers..last Super Bowl, the guy here got his buddy to bring over his smoker. So then we had 2 going and the grill...So these guys, being the men that they are think they have it all under control. I am standing at the kitchen sink and look out the window and there are FLAMES coming out of one of the smokers. Me and my sis are like, hey, I think you are on fire out there and they say, well duh, we are smokin.... and me and my sis are saying, no you are on FIRE! They just sat there and looked at us. They finally listened when I told my sis to call 911 before the house burns down. Turns out it was the buddy's smoker that was on fire and still needs to be repainted......

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mrtnzangel8 17 years ago said:

And ronny, if you hadn't noticed, looks like you are the one doing the following.

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notyourmomma 17 years ago said:

I have had our smoker for close to twenty years. We have the big off set firebox, with a barrel and chimney attachment. Use it for ribs/brisket and pork shoulders. I also have my upright charcoal water smoker that we use for turkeys and lamb legs that we want kept extra moist by having the "flavored" water (usually water mixed half and half with vinegar or wine or beer and soaked rosemary branches) underneath the rack that holds the meat. Love smoked turkey with a lemon garlic rosemary bath underneath.
I agree invest in a smoker and you'll reap the dividends.

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ronnymarcus 17 years ago said:

Sorry wynne! I really wasn't insinuating anything. I was only trying to make a joke about both of us being in the same groups. I am sorry that I was misunderstood. I had no wish to offend you or anyone. As to your request, I will not mention you anymore in any of my posts and I will not address you either. Looking back at what I wrote, I really can't see anything that suggests that I think that you are interested in me. I was just trying to welcome you to the group and acknoledge that we are glad that you are here. The last thing I want to do is hurt anyone. I appologise again to you or anyone who was hurt by my attempt at humor.

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wynnebaer 17 years ago said:

I'd like to apologize to all the members of this group...Any issue I had should have been addressed in a private message and not in this group. Sorry.

That being said, I have decided to invest in a smoker....May have to wait until next year because of it being so late in the summer season. That, or I may get the deal of a lifetime...Hopefully, the latter.....I didn't realize the things I was missing out on by not having one...I am counting on you, Jim and NYM to teach me how to use it....TeeHee...Thanks for all your help..:)

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jimrug1 17 years ago said:

Cool... not sure what went on here but I am glad I missed it..... ;-)~~ Hope everyone's minds are back on what we are really here for ..... SMOKIN!!! No, and I don't mean what you were doing with your friends last night ..........;-)~

Speaking of that..... In reference to mrtnzangles story... I have a photo I will try to post of what can happy if you party too much while BBQing. Its a photo of me holding a flaming charred turkey (a HUGE turkey) on a stick. We passed out in the grass for a long time.... we woke up, ran over and lifted the lid and the entire turkey burst into flames.... LOL It was a Kodak moment for sure....

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jimrug1 17 years ago said:

Hey Corrine,

No problem, by the time we get through with you, you will be a lean mean smokin machine.....;-)~ I am not sure the weather where you live but we have at least 2 1/2 - 3 Months of smokin yet. Actually, the fall is the best time of year to smoke. You can harvest all those red Jalapenos you are growing and smoke them into chipotles....
Have a great weekend.... Jim

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mrtnzangel8 17 years ago said:

I guess I need to speak up and apologize here too....I guess I am a bit sensitive to certain things, and wynne is like a sis to me. Felt the need to stand up....

So on to the smoker stories! LOL

Can't wait to see that pic Jim. :)

And hey Cor, I might have a tip or 2 for ya, and possibly a smoker real cheap, just ignore the burnt spots....heehee

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notyourmomma 17 years ago said:

Don't drink and smoke, it is hazardous for the vittles to be edible! I've had some too heavily smoked beer in the rear chicken look like they just went through an incinerator instead of a low slow smoke. Gave a whole new meaning to crispy skin. It crumbled if you touched it. Moist, nah, it was sawdust inside. Live and learn.

That said, I've been out in the driving rain, stapling a tarp to the fence to keep the rain from cooling down the jam packed smoker. Fred ended up building me a covered area with tin roof and it is very pleasant to listen to the rain now. He even put in lighting so I can tend the fire late at night if need be. So very considerate but I think it was all done so that I would keep on smoking his suppers. Oh, I love smoked peppers and smoked plum tomatoes. Good stuff.

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jimrug1 17 years ago said:

Hey NYM...

Yes been there done that!! One time in the fall, I was doing a brisket. When I started, it was a nice sunny fall day about 50 degrees. Perfect for smoking. By noon, it started clouding up and by around 1 it was snowing hard and the wind was blowing. We got 8 inches altogether........ ;-)

Sounds like you have a great set up now. I'm Jealous.. ;-)~ Good point about over smoking. Drinking or no, one of the most common mistakes, especially for the beginner is the tendencey to over smoke. I still have to resist the urge sometimes.

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pleclare 17 years ago said:

Hey guys,just checked in and find this interesting. I have never smoked either. Well,that's not tru but not barbecue smoked. I have a Brinkman stove top smoker. Never used. Can I use it on the grill and can anyone give me a simple thing to start with. Thanks,Pat

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pleclare 17 years ago said:

Actually,it's a Cameron stove top smoker!

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jimrug1 17 years ago said:

Hi Pleclare,

I have the Camreon Stove top also. If you go here http://www.leeners.com/smoker02.html

You will find a few recipes to get you started. Plus an link to buy a book of Stove top smoker recipes. I have used mine quite a bit. Thick pork chops work really well. I have also done Tuna, and Salmon fillets. I was surprised at how little smoke comes out of the box. Your stove exhaust fan will easily remove any whifs that come out.

I suppose you could use it on the grill but it seems to be defeating the purpose as you can turn any covered grill into the same type of smoker as your Stove top. Hope this helps...;-)~. Jim

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jimrug1 17 years ago said:

Pat, here are a few more recipes that sounded good and easy. http://www.kitchen-classics.com/smoker1.htm

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pleclare 17 years ago said:

Thanks Jim,I appreciate it!

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witchywoman 17 years ago said:

I just soak chips and throw them on top of charcoal in a bbq. You need a tight lid on it, but it works awesome!

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ronnymarcus 16 years ago said:

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ronnymarcus 16 years ago said:

Hi guys ! just bringing the group to the top

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ronnymarcus 16 years ago said:

Where are you guys ?

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